On Monday, March 6, 2017, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from an individual at 4252 Maple St. regarding an individual down on the floor and unresponsive.

Newton Fire/EMS was contacted to respond to the address. Jasper County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.

After Newton Fire/EMS and Jasper County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrived, it was determined this appeared to be a suspicious death. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office made contact with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation for their assistance in this incident. The Office of the State Medical Examiner was requested to conduct an autopsy on the decedent.

On Wednesday,March 8, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Office of the State Medical Examiner and the Division of Criminal Investigation, has determined the decedent at the scene was a victim of a homicide.

The investigation is ongoing. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide. The cause of death is not being released due to an ongoing investigation.

The victim is identified as Jose Luis C. Ramirez Berber, age 61.

If anyone has any information in the death of the victim, please contact the Jasper County

Sheriff’s Office at 641-792-5912.